Mitchell Marsh’s explosive 46 and early fireworks from Travis Head guided Australia to a comfortable win despite late fightbacks from Indian bowlers.
Match Summary
- Match: 2nd T20I, India vs Australia 2025
- Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
- Date: 31 October 2025
- Result: Australia won by 4 wickets
- Series: Australia lead 1–0 (1st T20I was washed out)
India’s Struggle With the Bat
Earlier in the day, India were bowled out for 125 runs in 18.4 overs after being invited to bat first. The visitors faced a fierce Australian bowling attack led by Josh Hazlewood (3/13) and Nathan Ellis (2/21).
Only Abhishek Sharma (68 off 37 balls) and Harshit Rana (35 off 33) offered resistance, as India failed to recover from early setbacks. The rest of the lineup crumbled, leaving the team with a below-par total at a ground known for high-scoring matches.
Read Also:- India All Out for 125 in 2nd T20I at MCG
Australia’s Confident Chase
In reply, Australia made sure there were no major hiccups. Skipper Mitchell Marsh led from the front with a blistering 46 off 26 balls, smashing 4 sixes and 2 boundaries. Travis Head supported him with a quick 28 off 15, putting on 51 runs for the opening wicket.
Despite losing a few wickets in the middle overs to Indian spinners Varun Chakaravarthy (2/23) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/45), Australia stayed in control throughout the chase.
The hosts reached the target in just 13.2 overs, finishing at 126/6, with Marcus Stoinis (6)* and Xavier Bartlett (0)* completing the win.
India’s Bowling Highlights
While India couldn’t defend the low total, there were a few positives in the bowling department.
- Jasprit Bumrah (2/26) continued to impress with his yorkers and death-over control.
- Varun Chakaravarthy (2/23) picked up key wickets of Travis Head and Tim David, showing his value on a pitch offering some grip.
- However, support from the other bowlers was missing as Harshit Rana and Kuldeep Yadav proved expensive.
Scorecard Highlights
India (125 all out, 18.4 overs)
- Abhishek Sharma – 68 (37)
- Harshit Rana – 35 (33)
- Josh Hazlewood – 3/13 (4)
- Nathan Ellis – 2/21 (3.4)
- Xavier Bartlett – 2/39 (4)
Australia (126/6, 13.2 overs)
- Mitchell Marsh – 46 (26)
- Travis Head – 28 (15)
- Josh Inglis – 20 (20)
- Varun Chakaravarthy – 2/23 (4)
- Jasprit Bumrah – 2/26 (4)
Key Moments
- Powerplay Brilliance: Marsh and Head gave Australia a flying start, scoring 51 runs in just 4.3 overs.
- Middle-Over Pressure: India fought back with wickets from Kuldeep and Varun, but the total was too small to defend.
- Hazlewood’s Spell: His early strikes ensured India were always behind the game.
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Tribute and Atmosphere
Before the match began, both teams wore black armbands and observed a minute’s silence in memory of 17-year-old cricketer Ben Austin, who tragically passed away in Melbourne earlier in the week. The packed MCG crowd of nearly 90,000 gave a heartfelt standing ovation during the tribute.
The win gives Australia a 1–0 lead in the five-match series. The 3rd T20I will be played in Adelaide on November 3, where India will aim to bounce back and keep the series alive.
